Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Iran

Iran Hangs Three For 2006 Bombings

(RFE/RL)

February 14, 2007 -- Iran has hanged three people for carrying out deadly bombings in southwestern Khuzestan Province one year ago.

TEXT SIZE - +

February 14, 2007

Reports say the executions were carried out in front of the victims' families. The bombing in January 2006 took place in the provincial capital of Ahvaz.

More than 10 people have been executed for involvement in recent attacks in Ahvaz. The oil-rich province has a large ethnic-Arab population.

(Fars, AFP, Reuters)

Iran's Arab Minority

The aftermath of a car bombing in Ahvaz on June 12, 2005 (epa)

DISCONTENT IN THE SOUTH: There are approximately 2.07 million ethnic Arabs in Iran (3 percent of the total population of 69 million), most of them living in the region around the southern city of Ahvaz. The region has been the scene of numerous terrorist attacks and demonstrations over the years. Arab groups cite historical grievances, and they bemoan inadequate attention to their culture and language by state media....(more)

Handling Of Ahvaz Unrest Could End With Televised Confessions

Bombing Accusations Highlight 'Differences And Disagreements'

Bombings In Southwest Blamed On Usual Suspect

Blaming British For Arab Unrest Has Historical Roots

Iran has stepped up its pressure on activists using the Internet

Iranian Activists, Journalists Receive Threatening E-mails

A number of Iranian activists and journalists based inside and outside the country have told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda they have been threatened in anonymous e-mails. More

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Many Iranians have been claiming that their access to social networks and Internet-based e-mail sites has been blocked in recent days.

Iran Tightens Internet Control

Iranians are reporting that their access to Facebook and Internet-based e-mail sites like Gmail has been blocked, without any explanation from the government. Not even the strongest antifiltering programs have penetrated the firewall, they say. Some speculate the move is related to Iran's plan to launch a national internet, which might sever Iranians' ability to access the World Wide Web. More